Orlando is a special place where anyone can go and feel like a kid no matter what age. Whether you are planning a trip to a theme park or you want to play as many of the 190-plus golf courses as your body will allow, Orlando is a wonderful place to roll back the years. It is no surprise that this region is home to more professional golfers than any other city in the world, how could you possibly need any more convincing?
The golf courses in Orlando have been designed by many of the greatest course designers there are and an equally impressive line-up of instructors ply their trade here too. Orlando is arguably the modern-day home of golf with such a concentration of great courses and facilities. The PGA Tour visits each year for The Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in a special event that always attracts one of the strongest fields of the year. The climate also helps to make this a haven for golfers with perpetually sunny conditions.
ChampionsGate Golf Club
With two exceptional courses on offer, The National and The International, Championsgate is a resort that embodies all that is great about golf in Orlando. Both courses are challenging and designed by Greg Norman with The National offering a classic American parkland feel whilst The International is more links turf. Another great feature here is the David Leadbetter Golf Academy where you can improve your game under the watch of one of the greatest names in coaching. It is worth noting that The International course reopened in the Autumn of 2016 after extensive renovations so even if you have played it before it’s worth getting out again to take in the changes!
Orange County National Golf Centre and Lodge
Orange County National (OCN), is another 36-hole complex with the Panther and the Crooked Cat courses. This is one of the best public courses in the US and each hole is distinct and memorable. This is a place you’ll want to visit more than once.
Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club is a unique member of the Orlando golf family. This par-72 is over 7,200 yards and its lush undulating terrain is a change from the typically flat layouts of Orlando. The tree-lined holes and strategic bunkering makes this a brilliant risk/reward course to navigate.
Reunion Resort
At the Reunion Resort there are three great courses designed by three of the biggest names in golf. The Arnold Palmer course features dramatic undulations and will require great shot-making to score around. The Tom Watson course is fast and firm and will require only your best short game. Finally, the Jack Nicklaus course is a parkland offering. This course has been designed to tempt you to take risks with great rewards awaiting the brave. Each course takes great tactical golf and a well thought out approach.
Other great courses in Orlando
The Waldorf Astoria Golf Club by Rees Jones is a visually stunning haven for golfers. With glorious Cypress trees this course was built with the great traditions of the sport in mind. This track is a masterpiece that effortlessly blends into the wonderful nature around it. At Lake Buena Vista, the Tranquilo Golf Club from the Four Seasons resort is abundant with wildlife. This course has actually been recognised for its environmentally friendly approach. The course provides an incredible finishing hole to make sure you never forget your experience here.
Grande Lakes at The Ritz-Carlton Resort is another resort course designed by Norman. From some tees the line is not completely obvious but the landing areas are reassuringly generous. The greens at Grande Lakes are some of the best in the area, especially in the winter months.
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